Caterpillar Inc.

James L Nicholls

Joseph A Rapp

John R Kaveney

Brad F Adams

John A Bauler

Operator enclosures or cabs in many cases have rear windows which are disposed in a generally upright or vertical position. The vertical position of the window reflects the instruments and dash as well as elements disposed forwardly of the cab during operation at night. The enclosure of the present invention includes a rear wall having lower wall portion and a upper wall portion. The upper wall portion is angled rearwardly from its lower edge to its upper edge and includes an opening for a window. A transparent window is sealably mounted in the opening and is thus also angled rearwardly at an angle sufficient to direct the reflection downward out of the operator's line of vision. This permits improved vision for the operator when operating in the dark.

Enclosure for an operator having an angled rear window

A door hold-open latch and dual release mechanism includes a first latch for maintaining the door in its closed position and a second latch for maintaining the door in its open position. A first latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located in the cab for releasing the first latch. A second latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located in the cab for releasing the second latch. A third latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located on the ground for also releasing the second latch. The operator can actuate the second latch from either the cab using the second latch release or from ground level using the third latch release. Alternately, the third latch release can also release the first latch, and the operator can actuate the first latch using the third latch release.

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Mr. Zion, IL, United States of America

James L Nicholls